Virtual Work Teams

The Definition of a virtual work team is much what you would expect. “It is a group of individuals who work across time, space, and organizational boundaries with links strengthened by webs of communication technology.” (Management Help) Virtual teams are also referred to as Geographically Dispersed Teams (GDT). Since the wide spread use of the Internet has come into companies all around the world they have found many useful applications. One of which is a virtual team. These teams have complementary skills and are committed to a common company goal or other purpose. A virtual team allows companies to hire and retain the best people for the job regardless of location. Many believe that virtual teams are composed of only individuals who work at home based offices, this is not true; such teams are these are called teleworkers. Virtual team members work both from home and offices just in different geographic locations.
There are many kinds of teams in the traditional sense of the word ranging from hockey and soccer teams to research and work teams. Although the virtual teams were are discussing are all work related in some degree, they also take many different forms.
There are seven basic virtual team types; Networked Teams, Parallel Teams, Project or Product-Development Teams, Work or Production Teams, Service Teams, Management Teams and, Action Teams. These teams function the same kinds of way but diverse purpose and functions. Some are permanent to semi-permanent teams that continue for years and years given different projects and goals over the course of time. Examples of these more permanent teams are those titled Work or Production Teams and Management Teams. Other teams such as Project or Product-Development Teams occur until a predefined time or goal reached. Other teams are in placed to be called upon when their skills and expertise is needed. The Action teams are such an example as they offer immediate response to emergency situations.( Management Help) All seven types of virtual teams real on communication that can span time and space some communication channels that are use are; teleconferences, e-mail, video conferences, chat, instant messaging and online forums.
Now that we have looked at what virtual work teams are and how they operate. The next question to addresses is why use a virtual work team? It’s already been mention that it allows company to acquire and retain the best-qualified staff. However, what has many big companies like Hewlett Packer on board is the bottom line. That’s right one of the biggest motivators for virtual teams is the all mighty dollar. Virtual teams save time wasted in long meetings therefore increasing productivity and decreasing cost of meeting space and wages. EffectiveMeeting.com survey American business companies of those companies 91% of those engaged in virtual teams agreed that they save both time and money. Hewlett Packer estimates that they saved 800,000 a year thanks to virtual meeting teams.
When you research virtual teams it becomes clear that everyone is using them. Two/thirds of the America workers surveyed by EffectiveMeeting.com, have engaged in virtual teams. And almost half of those engage in virtual teams on a weekly basis. The majority of all those who have used virtual teams say it has been an enjoyable experience and they would do it again. Even this class is a great example of virtual meetings. We all come together and share ideas and information through a technological channel to learn and achieve our goal, to pass this class. So with all these different forms of virtual teams exist but how? What are the critical success factors for virtual teams? At the top of the list is the resources to buy and support state-of-the-art reliable communication for all it team members no matter where they are. Standards must be clearly communicated and understood by the team. Often written goals, objectives, project specifications and results are recommended. So that teams can see where they are, where they are going and what they have already done. A database of past experience and acquired knowledge for teams to draw from this ensures that teams don’t cover the same ground over and over again. Traditional success factor still exists like human resource policies, reward/recognition systems, and career development although they have unique needs as virtual workers. Also adequate technical training so that team members can use the state-of the art communication. Virtual teams often do not have the benefit of meeting each other face-to-face therefore you do not create the trust normal formed. Virtual teams must find another to create ‘high trust’ culture often built through collaboration and teamwork of projects. Although sources vary on some of the success factors all agree that leadership of virtual teams is the biggest success factor. Leader set high performance standards, expectation and acceptable behaviors. This makes working across boundaries and using technology effective. Team leaders must exhibit confidence and competence in working within the virtual environment. This exhibition of skills will encourage the team member to trust you and each other trusting that you will lead them in the right direction and manage them wisely.
The other members of the team must be able to adopt and adapt to new technology quickly. Member must be resilient to changing assignments and tasks at any time. Team member must be willing to create trust and connection with team mates quickly so that they can move on to the task at hand. Team members often change more rapidly in virtual teams then traditional ones with every new assignment you may have a different team mate and you must learn to use their specialization quickly.
The growth rate of virtual teams has been rapid over that last decade. Despite the difficulties face with not knowing how to train team members to deal with this technology at first. Virtual teams have over come huge hurtles since there conceptions.
Given their innovative nature and adaptability they will over come many more in the future. One thing is for sure those who use virtual teams desire to keep using them. And those who have only just been introduce are realizing they are missing out. Analysts predict that the annual growth for virtual teams will be at 33% for the next several years.
Considering that 137 million workers worldwide were estimated to be involved in some form of ‘remote electronic work’ in 2003. This 137 million are either interacting with co-workers in the same building through virtual means or with co-worker outside the building through the same means. It is clear that those who are not involved in virtual teams very well maybe soon.
What implication does this have on global tourism? The implication I believe it will have on tourism is huge. Online bookings and self-trip planning have exploded due to the convince of the Internet. Other virtual meetings that have already been integrated into tourism are thing like online ordering for food and beverage supplies. Instead of sitting down with representatives and consuming time, you can place you order at the most convenient time for you. Allowing you to put customers first and still supply their business with the basic it needs at the same time. Using time more efficiently and getting more for the dollars paid in hourly wages. My interest in the tourism industry is in small tourism enterprises so when I think about the implication this will have on them I’m excited. It means that clusters and co-operative tourism groups will be better connected making the tourism experience more cohesive for all. Many small businesses are challenge due to their geographic location. With virtual teams the gap between supply, distributors and customers is only as far are you computer. As a small business owner I am thankful that I can go to school in Kamloops and, receive bookings online 170km away from my business in Wells Grey Park. I can do marketing research, advertising and bookings all on my laptop from a coffee shop or school. I feel like I am a single person running a business but due to technology I realize I have a informal virtual team of people who support my business through the Internet. Virtual teams have an application in all sort of tourist situation and we have only begun to figure it out. We as tourism students will be involved in creating and joining many different types of virtual teams in the future. This classroom is only the first of many virtual teams we will be involved in.